Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Candidates Learn History via Sining Saysay Gallery

Reports by: Francis Calubaquib & Noli Berioso    Photos: Bb. Pilipinas FB Page

​​The forty official candidates of this year’s Bb. Pilipinas Pageant got a brief lesson on Philippine history, culture and traditions when they visited the Sining Saysay Gallery Hall at the Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City. This marked the first official public activity and appearance of the lovely ladies after their selection as official candidates of the largest and most prestigious beauty pageant in the country, Bb. Pilipinas.

Sining Saysay: Philippine History in Art is a collaborative effort between the University of the Philippines (UP), The UP Alumni Association and The Araneta Center, Inc. The exhibit shows Philippine history in a grand scale via 6ft x 12ft paintings done by Filipino artists with ties from UP School of Fine Arts. The paintings are arranged chronologically, from pre-historic Philippines to the present time, displayed as pieces of an interesting puzzle.
In the words of Grace Javier Alfonso, the exhibit combines art (sining) and history (kasaysayan) to seize the spirit of “History Art” which takes its roots from the grand manner painting with a long tradition in the UP College of Fine Arts. History Art is echoed with a more contemporary view as a polyphony of different voices coming from top Filipino Artists from UP.
“It was indeed an awesome painting collection for it shows our rich historical past and cultural heritage which makes me more even proud to be a Filipino. One must not miss visiting this exhibit,” said Miss Leonalyn de la Cruz, Bb. Pilipinas 2016 candidate #33, during the brief tour.
Some of those who contributed their works of art are artists Grace Alfonso, Don Artificio, Bim Bacaltos, Adi Baen-Santos, Grandier Bella, Benjie Cabangis, Romy Carlos, Cris Cruz, Angel Cacnio, Denes Dasco, Gig de Pio, Simkin de Pio, Vincent de Pio, Neil Doloricon, Norma Dreo, Ding Hidalgo, Ben Infante, Junyee, Aileen Lanuza, Romy Mananquil, Norly Meimban, Jonah Salvosa, Julius Samson, Randy Solon, Michael Velasco, Janice Young and National Artists Ben Cabrera and Abdulmari Asia Imao.
Sining Saysay brings art closer to the people so they themselves share in the strengthening and the provision of meaning and enrichment to the nation’s history. This is where the artists and the people truly engage in public discourse. The visual text/visual images aim to excite and jostle the minds in this experimental exhibition where the people become part of the shaping of history.
The exhibit is open to the public, free of charge from 11:00am to 7:00pm at the 5th Level Gallery Hall of Gateway Towers, beside Gateway Mall, Cubao, Quezon City.